As Pakistan has begun training at their bio-secure Worcestershire base, former speedster Shoaib Akhtar said he will pray to god that the tourists won’t settle for just draw in the much-anticipated three-match Test series against England in August-September.
Akhtar also hopes that all Pakistani players test negative for Coronavirus but wants to see them play with a positive intent to challenge England in the upcoming Test series. He also hopes for a batter result this time having last drawn the Test series on English soil.
All 20 Pakistan players and 11 support staff tested negative for COVID-19 in England and even the first batch of players have begun training at their bio-secure Worcestershire base while the second string of 6 players, including Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz, Shadab Khan, and Fakhar Zaman will join the rest of the squad later this week in England after tested negative for the deadly virus.
Akhtar said in his YouTube channel: “I want to see players' (Covid-19) test negative but want their mindset to be positive. Pakistan needs to play really good cricket. There is no cricket going on across the world and Pakistan will get to play against England after West Indies play against them.”
He added, “I pray to god that Pakistan won't try to just draw the series there. In the past, we could have won many games in England but I feel the mindset of the batsmen just wasn't there. I hope the team is able to assess the situation better in England and come up with a solid team combination.”
Pakistan is scheduled to play three Tests and as many as T20 International in August-September at the bio-secures venues behind the close doors.
(With India Today Inputs)
